Let's talk about...women's safety

Anecdotal evidence suggests that female sexual harassment in bars and night clubs is seen as normalised behaviour and goes unchallenged and unreported. Harassment can frequently be trivialised and women and men can feel that it's not worth confronting.

We take this type of harassment seriously and believe it's an issue that reduces the quality of life for women. We carried out a large scale consultation with the public, council and partner officers, elected members and licensees to hear about your experiences and understand what can be done to keep women safe from harassment on a night out.

We're proud to be launching the Women's Safety Charter, developed with venues in the borough. The charter is based on a number of key principles which ensure that all staff working at licensed premises act in a responsible and supportive manner, taking all reports seriously. The intention is that the WSC will send out a clear message that female harassment in these premises won't be tolerated.

The Women's Safety Charter

prominently display high visibility posters in the venue which discourage harassment and encourage reporting

take every report of harassment and sexual intimidation seriously and take appropriate action

take active steps to support persons who report harassment or sexual intimidation which might take place in their premises

train all front of house staff to address women's safety and harassment